e.l.f. Discovery
Hydrating Serums & Why They’re a Must-Have in Your Skincare Routine
By Emma Trevino
If you’re skincare obsessive (or even if you’re not) you probably know that a hydrating serum is crucial for promoting a healthy, plump, and glowy complexion. Deeply nourishing and gentle, hydrating serums are like drinking a thirst-quenching glass of water for your skin. Using a serum regularly can help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and shielding it from environmental damage like pollution and harsh weather. And here's a bonus: balanced hydration actually helps control oil production, which means fewer breakouts. Think of hydration-based serums as the secret weapon your skin needs for looking and feeling fresh and healthy. If you’ve never used a hydrating serum or you’re ready to switch up your current routine and add one in, we’ve got the deep dive on finding the right hydrating serum for you, a peek into their benefits, and how to implement one into your routine to maintain a healthy, dewy glow. Grab a glass of water (because that’s hydrating for your skin, too) and read on.
What is a hydrating serum?
At the heart of many hydrating serums is hyaluronic acid, a hydration powerhouse that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Translation? Your skin can get a major moisture boost that helps to leave the appearance of skin looking plump, smooth, and refreshed. They’re typically water-based and packed with other active ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and aloe vera, all of which can help to attract and retain moisture—while also delivering that healthy, plump bounce we’re all striving for.
Not only are hydrating serums beneficial for delivering a boost of hydration, but they’re also key for helping prevent dryness and dullness in the appearance of skin. Some benefits we love about hydrating serums? They can help to plump the skin, smooth fine lines, improve the appearance of skin texture, and help to achieve a bouncy, supple glow.
What are the benefits of using a hydration serum?
There are lots of benefits to adding a hydrating serum to your skincare routine! Your skin will thank you for implementing a powerhouse hydration product. First off, they work to deliver hydration in a way that toners and creams don’t always do(more on that later). Thanks to moisture-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane, they’ll work to leave the appearance of skin feeling refreshed and plump.
Hydrating serums can also help to smooth the appearance of uneven texture and fine lines and wrinkles. They may also help strengthen your skin’s outer barrier, which can protect your skin from environmental stressors like pollution, sun damage, and harsh weather (especially during dry winter months!). And a bonus benefit: they can help to control oil production. Skin that’s properly hydrated helps to regulate oil levels, which can aid in reducing the risk of breakouts. The liquid to gel texture of serums also means they are fast-absorbing and sit well under makeup without leaving a greasy feeling residue, giving your skin the hydration it craves without feeling heavy.
We look to these two powerhouse hydrators when we need an extra boost of moisture: Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce Face Serum and Holy Hydration! Hydrating Face Serum. Triple Bounce is composed of 1.7% hyaluronic acid in three different molecular weights to help hold moisture and deliver a surge of hydration to your skin. Our Hydrating Face Serum helps to soothe and moisturize while nourishing with jojoba, aloe, vitamin E, grape, and shea butter.
How do you apply a hydrating serum?
So you’ve found your dream hydrating serum, but how much should you use and how often? After you’ve cleansed and toned your skin, use the Holy Hydration! Triple Bounce dropper applicator to apply 3-5 drops of serum onto clean skin. Use your hands (they need to be clean, too!) and gently pat the serum into your skin until it’s fully absorbed.
If you’re using Holy Hydration! Hydrating Face Serum, dispense around 3-5 drops onto clean skin and gently massage and pat the serum into your skin until it’s fully absorbed. Because both of these formulas are so gentle and nourishing, feel free to use either one in both the morning and in the evening as a regular part of your skincare routine.
When should I apply face serum?
Applying a hydrating serum at the right time is important for maximizing its benefits. Here’s the general guide for getting it right: serums should be applied after cleansing and after using any facial mists or toners, but before your moisturizer, SPF, or any thicker products.
While some serums are packed with active ingredients that can be harsher on skin, hydrating serums are typically gentle and nourishing, and can be used both in the morning and the evening.
How are face serums different from face moisturizers?
Unlike creams or moisturizers, serums tend to be more lightweight and may be formulated with smaller molecules, delivering high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin. This makes them effective in delivering moisture to the skin where needed.
While creams also effectively moisturize, they tend to focus on hydrating the surface layers of your skin, while serums can work to absorb deeper into the skin. Texture-wise, they are usually thinner and have a more watery consistency, giving a concentrated splash of hydration that dives deep into your skin, working its magic from within. Bu don’t skip on a reliable moisturizer or cream, either! Both are needed to maintain optimal hydration levels and help keep your complexion healthy-looking.
The Difference Between Hydrating Face Serum and Vitamin C Serum
Wondering what the difference is between a hydrating serum and Vitamin C serum? While both our hydrating serums and our Vitamin C serum are similar, Triple Bounce contains Vitamin B5, not C. Vitamin B5 can help to nourish and replenish the appearance of skin, while Vitamin C is loved for its ability to help refine and brighten the appearance of skin and help to promote an overall radiant appearance. If you’re looking for hydration and brightening power, alternate between these serums every few days to get glowing, bouncy, and hydrated looking skin.